BEWARE, this screwdriver tip sometimes works, other times leads to a major headache, and you will wish you had spent the less than $10 on the proper oil filter removal tool. Read on...and sorry for the mini-novel below...but read to the end and also the replies to this post... I was doing an oil change for a friend last night. Neither of my tools would grab onto the oil filter enough to turn it. I have one tool that slips around the filter and you tighten with the handle to grab onto the filter and turn it. There is very little space to work with, so I could not tighten enough, and be able to turn the tool. So this was not gonna work. The other tool I have is similar, but it goes around the end of the filter. You attach it to a ratchet, and as you turn the ratchet, it closes in on and grips the filter. This would not grab onto the filter. I think mine is just a little bit too large for this pretty small (width) filter. Also, the oil filter is at a weird angle and there is very little space to work with. This is a 2021 Toyota Highlander. So, after no success with either of my tools that usually work, I opted to try the old screwdriver method, as I had done that before probably 30 years ago and it worked fine. In the case of the oil change last night, after tapping the screwdriver thru the oil filter (both sides), when I began to try to turn it, the wall of the oil filter began to tear, and the oil filter was not turning at all. I tried a much larger (thicker) screwdriver, and it just tore more. I then tried to use channel locks to grab onto the filter, and this just further tore and began to cave in the oil filter. By this time, I was beginning to become concerned. And I may, or may not have thrown one of the tools at the neighbors house, lol. So, then, I went to the parts store to see if they had another oil filter tool that would help me out of this predicament. They did, it is a "cap", that fits over the end of the filter perfectly, and it has a hole in it where you attach your ratchet. I took the new filter with me to the parts store to make sure I got the right size, because they come in different sizes to accommodate different sized (widths) oil filters. I got back home, and tried it, but, because I have damaged the filter with my first attempts, the cap will not fit onto the now misshapened and partially caved in filter, it just spins when I turn it with the ratchet. So, I am stuck! But, I am going to try a couple more things this morning. If I am unsuccessful, then I will need to have the vehicle towed to a shop and pay them to remove the oil filter. My friend knows a guy that works at Toyota, and she called him. He said it would cost probably between $100 and $200 to remove the damaged filter, then add on the cost for an oil change. But, if the threads that the oil filter screws onto are at all damaged, even one thread (I knew better than to get even close to the threaded part with the screwdriver), then they must replace the entire oil filter unit / assembly, which he said would cost between $400 and $500, and then add the cost for an oil change. I am sure my friend will expect me to pay for either of these if it comes down to it. I think the issue here is that oil filters of today (at least some) are made with much thinner / weaker metal material for the housing than they were many many years ago. So the screwdriver method may lead you to the train-wreck that I am currently in the middle of, and it's not even my damned vehicle, but I am on the hook to resolve this issue. Also, when you put on a new filter, always wipe a little bit of new oil onto the rubber gasket, then don't over-tighten the filter. They say hand-tighten, then just a little bit more than that. I'm guessing this oil filter was way over-tightened, and combine that with not using the proper tool to remove it....yeah...good times... The moral of the story? Don't over-tighten the oil filter, and if needed, go buy the proper oil filter removal tool. I think the best one would be the "cap" type (that fits your oil filter). Ask your local parts store...the one I got costed $5.99 plus tax. I will use it to put the new filter on, if by some miracle I can remove this half destroyed filter to begin with. UPDATE: I ended up buying 2 more oil filter removal tools and one of them worked to grab the damaged / partially crushed in oil filter. What a relief, and a few lessons learned here...
Just tried this guy’s method and that’s what happened to me. I ended up having to use a strap wrench-like tool to get it off. I couldn’t believe this method didn’t have problems for many people.
I never had that problem till now. I have a different filter in here which was put in by valvaline. The one time I get my oil change done by somebody else and not me I get this problem.
you need to get access from under the car , if it’s completely blocked you may need to remove some piece of the car to gain more room. Rarely is an oil filter impossible to access anymore, especially with 2010s-present day. But never know
I just want to say that this was the best video ever. I was working on my 01 Miata today and the filter was not coming off. It took 3 trips to the store and 3 tools before looking for other methods. I finally tired this and got it off in about 5 minutes. I still cannot believe. I can’t thank you enough
fyi...as long as you're going the full destructive method of removing your old oil filter, might's well punch a hole in the bottom and drain out as much oil as you can first. Might even reduce the suction effect.
First, I would recommend using a screwdriver to pierce the bottom, and thus drain out the oil. I've had screwdrivers that just peel through the filter rather than turn the filter off, so I used a one inch wood chisel with the flat side towards the rotation...no peeling through the filter.
Damn, you have all kind of room, I have a GM truck and I can hardly even get an oil filter wrench on mine, damn engineers know how to screw up autos for sure.
Exactly why I’m here except it was a 2020 f150. You gotta squeeze your head in between the front bumper and the engine area to get a good view of the filter.
I got a 2004 f150 and i'm pretty sure the engine is messed up because valvoline never changed the filter. I tried doing it myself and can't fit the oil filter thing around it due to the placement
PLEASE READ: You can damage your threads on your stud by doing this. I just did it and now my car is in the shop to replace the stud/adapter. MAKE SURE YOU PIERCE FAR AWAY FROM THE ENGINE. Hope I saved someone’s time and money
You saved me money and time, friend! I spent almost 2 hours under my car trying in so many ways to take it off from my Ford Ka, and only with your tips, I got it. Thanks a lot!
I knew about this trick but I was reluctant to try it. I had little room and my filter had already started to buckle from the strap wrench. After watching your video I grew a pair and went for it. It worked. I am repaying you with a like and a sub. You ended three hours of frustration for me.👍
Not possible on most European/Japanese cars. Theres simply no room for anything but your hands. Unless you start taking stuff apart but who wants to do that for a simple oil change.
I’m having a problem with a 2000 mazda protege because the engineers decided let’s put the oil filter and have the alternator to the right of the the holding bracket for the exhaust manifold to the left of it and the drive shaft below that.
So I have a 2019 honda civic type r touring. Actually no room to work. Love this video because it helped me. I used this trick then turned it. As other comments said I ran out of room to turn. So simply take the screw driver out and hammer it in again turn an inch or two and repeat till you can use your hand. Thanks for the help video and tip.
If the filter still won’t turn after cranking on it with the screwdriver in it, start tapping on the side of the filter up near where it screws on with a hammer as you crank on the handle. It might be enough to help break it loose when hitting it and turning it at the same time.
We just tried the screwdriver method on a neighbors truck and it didn’t work. It just opened the side of the oil filter like a tin can. Must be torqued to hulk specs!!
This is super sick but just be careful if you actually try this. Sometimes the screwdriver will slice all the way through the filter and cut it in two leaving you with half of a filter and a shredded jagged edge to try and remove
I have a 2000 ZR2 Blazer, and let me tell you a stuck oil filter on this is a pain in the ass to get off because of the lack of space to work with and you can't get very good leverage without it being on a lift. I got one of those socket wrench end caps fit to the correct size, and it still just kept slipping off over and over they suck. Had a friend bring me to Napa, bought a band wrench and it finally came off with some serious elbow grease. I've changed the oil over the past 12 years, and I always was able to get it off with my hands wearing gorilla grip gloves, but this was the first time I had a shop change my oil and do the lube service. I don't know if they forgot to put some of the old oil around the seal and/or they really just tightened it that hard but holy fuck it took every ounce of my strength to even budge it. Don't need to torque the hell out of it just make sure it's snug.
Thanks for the video. I've got a story to add. Followed all the normal steps (oil filter wrench, friction wrench, oiling up the seal, driving the screwdriver into it and cranking on that... only got it to budge a tiny amount. Tried a chisel on the inner lip. Would not move. The access was small so after one or two different holes with the screwdriver all the way through, the metal just started to tear apart and no place to work on it. Next up? I took the oil filter wrench (cap) and drilled holes around the sides and the top and hammered the wrench onto the top of what was left of the oil filter, then attached it with several sheet metal screws, making sure to hit solid metal. Attach a 2 foot breaker bar and I was finally able to get it going. No sign of corrosion, all I can think is it was put on dry with no lubricant. Don't know, but it was a worse case scenario.
Great method bro, It worked for me everytime some dude tried to tie it down by rachet. Bonus: if any of you try this method, stay far away from the screw part that you will spin your oil filter in. If you damage it, it’ll bring the work to a different level. Dont ask how I know haha
The best was when the filter is on so good w/ a cheap cheap filter that it bends like tin foil w/ an oil filter clamp. You gotta get a high quality one where you can remove it w/ a socket wrench on the end.
I have the kind with a housing and a bolt on the end an I cannot get the damn thing off I have every tool except the right size socket for the damn bolt.
@@lifeistoshortgottobeoptimi8707 same here mine would not come off I googled it and said it's fine to just not replace it this time and put the new oil in but you can only go like half the miles with the new oil until it absolutely needs replacing. I'm just gonna have to eat the cost and take it in. Anywhere I take it wants like $100 cause I have a weird car when the filter and oil (even the nice brands) are $45 at Walmart. I really hate paying for shit ik I could do myself. I'll just have to ask they don't over tighten it and hope they actually do.
The best way to open a filter is to get an old timing belt and a piece of piping about 1 1/2" cut 2 cuts at the end of the pipe with cutting wheel turn the timing belt inside out slot the belt into the cuts in the pipe with a loop on the belt that fits over the filter then with a pipe wrench on the other end of the pipe it will open any filter
I did exactly that and it ripped right threw the oil filter, now I have half of a crushed ripped open oil filter hanging off my Jeep. I had to special order a tool for this, I should get it tomorrow, I hope to hell that works!
Thank you! This helped so much. Half the filter was surrounded by the side of the block, couldn’t even wrap one hand around it. A good engineer needs to be a mechanic first 😂
And if you don't know how long the oil pipe is inside the filter you can burst it. If you don't know the depth of the pipe put the screwdriver in offset from where a long central pipe would be. Just buy a chain for €10 & it will serve you well forever. No money? Weld a bit of old bike chain to a worn deep socket. This video is very dangerous for inexperienced home mechanics who could damage oil pipes or slice a hand open on a jagged filter post screwdriving.
For anyone lost and needing help with the tools you got heres how i did it. I had a pair of channel locks that were barely too small for mine. So i just squeezed the shit out of the bottom of the filter to make the pliers fit and it worked.
They sell the removal metal sockets for oil filters at Walmart, they’re like 3 to 6 dollars, and you can use them as many times as you want, great for small spaces like on my Chevy spark
You Sir are a life saver if you never do anything else in your life know you have made a difference I had all but given up and then stumbled upon this ....Life is good again Thank you
I tried this dumb trick on my Dad's 1964 Plymouth Fury Wagon 318 cubic inch V-8 back in the day and it didn't work! All it did was rip the filter to shreds and Dad had to drive it to the corner gas station to get the filter removed. The oil trail from our driveway to the gas station remained for six months. My Dad was not a happy camper!
I have a 2017 Chevy impala, they have placed a metal shield that will cut your hands and block any tools you try to use on your oil filter, it is a real pain in the ass and I do not understand why they have placed it right there. So anyway I have a stuck oil filter and very few ways to get it off, what a pain in the ass.
The best thing I ever found was an oil filter strap wrench from advanced auto. Looks like a square bar with a seat belt strap. It was eight bucks and has saved me hundreds of hours of time on trucks and earth movers with limited access panels. Everyone laughed at first but after seeing it in action, everyone in the shop has one including the died hard Snap-on only fudds.
I did this. Filter was too tight when it was coming off. Finally it came off, but the rod/pipe where we connect the filter, came with it and now it's stuck on the filter. Don't know what to do..
I had used Motorcraft brand oil filter in my 2005 Escape since I had ownership and never had a problem getting them off when the time to change them came but last time I had to buy a Fram oil filter since Wal-Mart was out of the Motorcraft brand filter..well let me tell you after I drained all the oil, or sucked out the oil as I use the Topsider device, I went to take the old filter off and it would NOT budge at all!!! I had no special oil filter wrench but I did not want to make a hole in the old filter in case I could not get it off that way I would be stranded so I filled up with new oil and left the old filter on until I could go buy a tool! Luckily I had bought some cheap, clearance oil at the store for like $2 a quart for Valvoline oil..I may go a short distance on the old filter with new oil since I was only doing this oil change at 2700 miles and had been running Motorcraft Synthetic blend at that..Let's hope the tool works or I will have no choice but to ram a screw driver in mine too!
My wife's 2006 Lexus GX470 has no room for a wrench. I had to use the tool that goes over the entire back side of the filter, like a socket would. Of course, it stripped and spun around the filter. So I screwed 2 screws through the socket like tool and into the filter. It spun right off. The tool I'm referring to uses a rachet to spin it Edit, i first put a screw in the bottom of the oil filter to drain it.
For people with less room I just punch a small hole near the grooves where the metal is the thickest, place the flat head screwdriver not inside the hole but against the opening of the hole and push it to the left or use a small hammer or ur palm to hit it and slowly loosen the filter then just use your hand to unscrew it
Did this to one that was screwed on so tight, the screwdriver rotated threw the whole filter. I had to fan up are wrench with two bolt welded to a bar. The bolts with into the filter holes.....that sucked.
I do it this way all the time. I change my own oil, and I only put the filter on hand tight. When you can't get your hands around the old filter, and you don't have room for channellocks, this comes in mighty handy. Edit: Hell, I just did this yesterday! Worked like a charm!
I used to kinda pride myself on mcguyver/ghetto rigging moments like these that I'd come upon in my own life while working on a car, but this was a REALLY dope idea that I never thought of... Thanks man! You just literally saved me a trip to the auto parts store where I was intending to grab one of the tools you were taking about, not the filter wrench but the filter bit that goes on a ratchet...I keep losing the damn things after every oil change...I coulda just did this
I’m glad I could help! It’s really is mostly last resort thing, but never fails me. The filters are meant to be hand tight, but sometimes people don’t realize how easily it’s seals. I like to put some oil on the gasket of the new filter, it helps it seal and it comes off easier next time.
Bad idea!! I used to do this all the time until I had to remove a factory filter on a Dodge that would not budge. The screw driver ripped the filter in half!! I use a large channel lock (adjustable plyers) it works for all size filters. Usually if you oil the o-ring and install it hand tight. It will come off by hand as well.
Was doing an oil chnage on a 94 park Avenue, used the oil clamp tool, nothing! Ended up flattening the grooves so i I couldn't use the other oil filter cup tool. Tried this method and BOOM! It came off. Thank you for the vid
I wondering when my son put the filter on maybe forgot to lube it… I have a question what if u try this method doesn’t work like what other way to get off ? bcz if the oil comes it not like it drivable to shop., I can’t afford to tow it..
I learned that Ive been putting filters back on the wrong way all my life. I always retightened them with a filter, but I almost couldn't get this last one off until I used a filter wrench with a rubber strap. Unfortunately, I tightened it back on with the filter wrench. So, if I cant get it off next time, Ill have to do this, lol. Next time, Ill just hand tighten it by a 3/4 turn after the gasket touches the base.
michael fawcett agreed, this is a “last resort get you out of a pinch” type deal, they make oil filter wrenches that work great too, but may not be worth the purchase because the filter isn’t always on that tight.
Rubber strap wrench.....that you have ( or buy) that serves dozens of other functions.....even takes off tight food jar lids. A screwdriver would be the least desirable option, especially if you end up not getting it off and also possibly damaging other parts of the car with the "poke". The car has a middle post inside over which the filter fits.
Works but be careful not to go too low on the filter or you might hit the threads that hold the filter on the engine. I had to go all the way through both filter walls because the metal tore using just one wall.
Having problems getting the old one off my '94 XJS. Thing I can't figure out is that Jaguar very clearly emphasizes that a new one should only be put on by HAND tightening (about 1/2 turn after contact made). So, why is it so damn hard to get them OFF by hand (assuming the PO followed directions)?
By old Subaru standards that filter has lots of access. The old webbing strap filter wrenches work very well and only need about 25mm of clearance in one place around the filter. The screwdriver trick is ok but a pal of mine tried it and ripped the filter almost in half without shifting it. And once you have punched a hole in the filter you are very committing.
Have a new Crosstrek and didn't want to do the screwdriver method because if you tear through the metal without getting it loose and the threaded base stays attached you're pretty well screwed. My metal strap filter wrench broke without budging it. Channel locks were going to crush the thin housing metal too much and slip so I went down to the local auto parts store and got a this filter removal tool that looks like a lobster claw that is good for getting a grip on it and that did the trick.
@@duketogo2616 Thanks for the reply. For the filter change I just did I treated myself to the filter socket that is a snug fit on the base of the genuine Subaru filters and it worked fine. Having said that, the filter was not as hard to remove as it sometimes is so I can't really say if it would cope in extreme cases.
Well I have a stupid question. I couldn't get the filter off and just changed the oil anyway. Now if I get the filter off, but not drain the new oil....will all the new oil start coming out of the oil filter hole?
Make sure that the gasket is removed I've worked on many cars that have old gaskets still stuck there which will destroy the engine this will cause a leak and you could say goodbye to that engine it might be hard for you to see but you can feel up there and feel that you're not touching metal
BEWARE, this screwdriver tip sometimes works, other times leads to a major headache, and you will wish you had spent the less than $10 on the proper oil filter removal tool. Read on...and sorry for the mini-novel below...but read to the end and also the replies to this post...
I was doing an oil change for a friend last night. Neither of my tools would grab onto the oil filter enough to turn it. I have one tool that slips around the filter and you tighten with the handle to grab onto the filter and turn it. There is very little space to work with, so I could not tighten enough, and be able to turn the tool. So this was not gonna work. The other tool I have is similar, but it goes around the end of the filter. You attach it to a ratchet, and as you turn the ratchet, it closes in on and grips the filter. This would not grab onto the filter. I think mine is just a little bit too large for this pretty small (width) filter. Also, the oil filter is at a weird angle and there is very little space to work with. This is a 2021 Toyota Highlander.
So, after no success with either of my tools that usually work, I opted to try the old screwdriver method, as I had done that before probably 30 years ago and it worked fine. In the case of the oil change last night, after tapping the screwdriver thru the oil filter (both sides), when I began to try to turn it, the wall of the oil filter began to tear, and the oil filter was not turning at all. I tried a much larger (thicker) screwdriver, and it just tore more. I then tried to use channel locks to grab onto the filter, and this just further tore and began to cave in the oil filter. By this time, I was beginning to become concerned. And I may, or may not have thrown one of the tools at the neighbors house, lol.
So, then, I went to the parts store to see if they had another oil filter tool that would help me out of this predicament. They did, it is a "cap", that fits over the end of the filter perfectly, and it has a hole in it where you attach your ratchet. I took the new filter with me to the parts store to make sure I got the right size, because they come in different sizes to accommodate different sized (widths) oil filters. I got back home, and tried it, but, because I have damaged the filter with my first attempts, the cap will not fit onto the now misshapened and partially caved in filter, it just spins when I turn it with the ratchet.
So, I am stuck! But, I am going to try a couple more things this morning. If I am unsuccessful, then I will need to have the vehicle towed to a shop and pay them to remove the oil filter. My friend knows a guy that works at Toyota, and she called him. He said it would cost probably between $100 and $200 to remove the damaged filter, then add on the cost for an oil change. But, if the threads that the oil filter screws onto are at all damaged, even one thread (I knew better than to get even close to the threaded part with the screwdriver), then they must replace the entire oil filter unit / assembly, which he said would cost between $400 and $500, and then add the cost for an oil change. I am sure my friend will expect me to pay for either of these if it comes down to it.
I think the issue here is that oil filters of today (at least some) are made with much thinner / weaker metal material for the housing than they were many many years ago. So the screwdriver method may lead you to the train-wreck that I am currently in the middle of, and it's not even my damned vehicle, but I am on the hook to resolve this issue. Also, when you put on a new filter, always wipe a little bit of new oil onto the rubber gasket, then don't over-tighten the filter. They say hand-tighten, then just a little bit more than that. I'm guessing this oil filter was way over-tightened, and combine that with not using the proper tool to remove it....yeah...good times...
The moral of the story? Don't over-tighten the oil filter, and if needed, go buy the proper oil filter removal tool. I think the best one would be the "cap" type (that fits your oil filter). Ask your local parts store...the one I got costed $5.99 plus tax. I will use it to put the new filter on, if by some miracle I can remove this half destroyed filter to begin with.
UPDATE: I ended up buying 2 more oil filter removal tools and one of them worked to grab the damaged / partially crushed in oil filter. What a relief, and a few lessons learned here...
Hey man Im catching hell with this exact same issue where the screwdriver technique just fucked it up what did you use?
I've had the screwdriver destroy a filter and still not loosen so be careful with this.
Started happening to me, I got some 5 minute epoxy and glued a cheap socket cap to the filter. Quick and very effective.
Just tried this guy’s method and that’s what happened to me. I ended up having to use a strap wrench-like tool to get it off. I couldn’t believe this method didn’t have problems for many people.
I never had that problem till now. I have a different filter in here which was put in by valvaline. The one time I get my oil change done by somebody else and not me I get this problem.
The problem we all have is that we don’t have enough room to fit anything
I did not had enough room
But I found an angel and worked hard..
You can do it brother
every
Ong bro I’m trying to remove one from a street stock
you need to get access from under the car , if it’s completely blocked you may need to remove some piece of the car to gain more room. Rarely is an oil filter impossible to access anymore, especially with 2010s-present day. But never know
Yeah my s10 is a bitch lol
I just want to say that this was the best video ever. I was working on my 01 Miata today and the filter was not coming off. It took 3 trips to the store and 3 tools before looking for other methods. I finally tired this and got it off in about 5 minutes. I still cannot believe. I can’t thank you enough
fyi...as long as you're going the full destructive method of removing your old oil filter, might's well punch a hole in the bottom and drain out as much oil as you can first. Might even reduce the suction effect.
Wow
exactly right
First, I would recommend using a screwdriver to pierce the bottom, and thus drain out the oil. I've had screwdrivers that just peel through the filter rather than turn the filter off, so I used a one inch wood chisel with the flat side towards the rotation...no peeling through the filter.
59 seconds in and I didn’t have to watch the rest. I knew exactly what you were getting at. Thanks for this video. It saved my life.
Removing an oil filter saved your life?
@@wilfordbrimleypranksit saved my life too!!!!!!
Damn, you have all kind of room, I have a GM truck and I can hardly even get an oil filter wrench on mine, damn engineers know how to screw up autos for sure.
Unless you have a 2008 f150 and realize ford had their heads so far up their asses when they decided on where to place the oil filter
Honestly tho
Amen 🙏🏻
Exactly why I’m here except it was a 2020 f150. You gotta squeeze your head in between the front bumper and the engine area to get a good view of the filter.
I got a 2004 f150 and i'm pretty sure the engine is messed up because valvoline never changed the filter. I tried doing it myself and can't fit the oil filter thing around it due to the placement
PLEASE READ: You can damage your threads on your stud by doing this. I just did it and now my car is in the shop to replace the stud/adapter. MAKE SURE YOU PIERCE FAR AWAY FROM THE ENGINE. Hope I saved someone’s time and money
You can chase the threads…
Assholes at the shop shouldn’t have tightened the damn thing so much then lol
You saved me money and time, friend! I spent almost 2 hours under my car trying in so many ways to take it off from my Ford Ka, and only with your tips, I got it. Thanks a lot!
Me too 2 hours minimum
Thank you . The hammer/screwdriver worked for me after trying to get it off for about 20 minutes
I knew about this trick but I was reluctant to try it. I had little room and my filter had already started to buckle from the strap wrench. After watching your video I grew a pair and went for it. It worked. I am repaying you with a like and a sub. You ended three hours of frustration for me.👍
Fuck I only had 25 mins in and I searched and found all this😅
@@gilbertrodriguez67 fuck those filters man
Same here. 3 hours wasted waiting on another filter wrench for it not to work. I had little room but it worked.
Same bro 2hrs and just said fuck it 2 fucking minutes I hate my self
"Make sure you pop a filter socket on that sucker and hit it with an impact wrench. Better safe than sorry"
-- Jiffy Lube Supervisor
aw, that's no fun!
Trickle up what kind of filter socket are you talking about?
Not possible on most European/Japanese cars. Theres simply no room for anything but your hands. Unless you start taking stuff apart but who wants to do that for a simple oil change.
I’m having a problem with a 2000 mazda protege because the engineers decided let’s put the oil filter and have the alternator to the right of the the holding bracket for the exhaust manifold to the left of it and the drive shaft below that.
So that's why I had to epoxy the socket to the filter. Worked anyway, can apply a lot of torque in a limited access space.
So I have a 2019 honda civic type r touring. Actually no room to work. Love this video because it helped me. I used this trick then turned it. As other comments said I ran out of room to turn. So simply take the screw driver out and hammer it in again turn an inch or two and repeat till you can use your hand. Thanks for the help video and tip.
I can barely reach my filter with the tip of my pinky finger
1- Don’t over tight by your hand
2- release the pressure ( heat / the liquid ) open the lid/ drain the filter
3- use rubber gloves
If only my oil filter had enough room for me get leverage for anything. 😢
If the filter still won’t turn after cranking on it with the screwdriver in it, start tapping on the side of the filter up near where it screws on with a hammer as you crank on the handle. It might be enough to help break it loose when hitting it and turning it at the same time.
This helped so much!! I was struggling for about 30 minutes then I saw your video. Saved me so much time!
I tried this and it just peeled the filter. What did I do wrong, and how can I get my filter off
We just tried the screwdriver method on a neighbors truck and it didn’t work. It just opened the side of the oil filter like a tin can. Must be torqued to hulk specs!!
Thanks for the tip! I used this technique to replace the oil filter in my 2008 Ford Escape
This is super sick but just be careful if you actually try this. Sometimes the screwdriver will slice all the way through the filter and cut it in two leaving you with half of a filter and a shredded jagged edge to try and remove
Just happened to me
@@KILLROY223 😂 I know, 2x
Never ever do this. If it's really stuck it will just rip it apart. Then you have bigger problems.
I have a 2000 ZR2 Blazer, and let me tell you a stuck oil filter on this is a pain in the ass to get off because of the lack of space to work with and you can't get very good leverage without it being on a lift. I got one of those socket wrench end caps fit to the correct size, and it still just kept slipping off over and over they suck. Had a friend bring me to Napa, bought a band wrench and it finally came off with some serious elbow grease. I've changed the oil over the past 12 years, and I always was able to get it off with my hands wearing gorilla grip gloves, but this was the first time I had a shop change my oil and do the lube service. I don't know if they forgot to put some of the old oil around the seal and/or they really just tightened it that hard but holy fuck it took every ounce of my strength to even budge it. Don't need to torque the hell out of it just make sure it's snug.
You can also remove the filter using groove joint pliers, always works for me and has a wide variety of uses.
What to do if the oil filter just gets ripped by the screwdriver
Thanks for the video. I've got a story to add. Followed all the normal steps (oil filter wrench, friction wrench, oiling up the seal, driving the screwdriver into it and cranking on that... only got it to budge a tiny amount. Tried a chisel on the inner lip. Would not move. The access was small so after one or two different holes with the screwdriver all the way through, the metal just started to tear apart and no place to work on it.
Next up? I took the oil filter wrench (cap) and drilled holes around the sides and the top and hammered the wrench onto the top of what was left of the oil filter, then attached it with several sheet metal screws, making sure to hit solid metal. Attach a 2 foot breaker bar and I was finally able to get it going. No sign of corrosion, all I can think is it was put on dry with no lubricant. Don't know, but it was a worse case scenario.
Great method bro, It worked for me everytime some dude tried to tie it down by rachet.
Bonus: if any of you try this method, stay far away from the screw part that you will spin your oil filter in. If you damage it, it’ll bring the work to a different level. Dont ask how I know haha
Good advice!
The best was when the filter is on so good w/ a cheap cheap filter that it bends like tin foil w/ an oil filter clamp. You gotta get a high quality one where you can remove it w/ a socket wrench on the end.
Have a K&N with a 25mm head that is rounding off as we speak
I have the kind with a housing and a bolt on the end an I cannot get the damn thing off I have every tool except the right size socket for the damn bolt.
Trying to get mines off to the mechanics at the shop over tightened it now it seems impossible to take off and I've already bent it
@@lifeistoshortgottobeoptimi8707 same here mine would not come off I googled it and said it's fine to just not replace it this time and put the new oil in but you can only go like half the miles with the new oil until it absolutely needs replacing. I'm just gonna have to eat the cost and take it in. Anywhere I take it wants like $100 cause I have a weird car when the filter and oil (even the nice brands) are $45 at Walmart. I really hate paying for shit ik I could do myself. I'll just have to ask they don't over tighten it and hope they actually do.
The best way to open a filter is to get an old timing belt and a piece of piping about 1 1/2" cut 2 cuts at the end of the pipe with cutting wheel turn the timing belt inside out slot the belt into the cuts in the pipe with a loop on the belt that fits over the filter then with a pipe wrench on the other end of the pipe it will open any filter
I did exactly that and it ripped right threw the oil filter, now I have half of a crushed ripped open oil filter hanging off my Jeep. I had to special order a tool for this, I should get it tomorrow, I hope to hell that works!
Thank god for whoever y’all are. I was about to be fucking stuck until I saw this. You guys are fucking awesome
Thank you! This helped so much. Half the filter was surrounded by the side of the block, couldn’t even wrap one hand around it. A good engineer needs to be a mechanic first 😂
And if you don't know how long the oil pipe is inside the filter you can burst it. If you don't know the depth of the pipe put the screwdriver in offset from where a long central pipe would be. Just buy a chain for €10 & it will serve you well forever. No money? Weld a bit of old bike chain to a worn deep socket. This video is very dangerous for inexperienced home mechanics who could damage oil pipes or slice a hand open on a jagged filter post screwdriving.
Omg your a life saver changed dozens of vehicles never had one this stuck for a moment I thought it was reverse threading!!!
I just used my pipe wrench on my 07 Jeep GC Laredo. The filter was a Mobil One 209A. The wrench removed it with ease.
Wow this worked! Spent over an hour trying different tools (old filter tool, didn't work). 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I found putting sand paper over the filter, with the filter wrench gets a good hold on it
For anyone lost and needing help with the tools you got heres how i did it. I had a pair of channel locks that were barely too small for mine. So i just squeezed the shit out of the bottom of the filter to make the pliers fit and it worked.
The video saved my day. This trick worked perfectly on my 2006 tundra. Thank you!
They sell the removal metal sockets for oil filters at Walmart, they’re like 3 to 6 dollars, and you can use them as many times as you want, great for small spaces like on my Chevy spark
And if you don’t have enough space use a ratchet extension never use a screwdriver
Tried this ripped a big hole across the whole filter don’t do this just buy the right attachment for it and use a ratchet
You Sir are a life saver if you never do anything else in your life know you have made a difference I had all but given up and then stumbled upon this ....Life is good again Thank you
I tried this dumb trick on my Dad's 1964 Plymouth Fury Wagon 318 cubic inch V-8 back in the day and it didn't work! All it did was rip the filter to shreds and Dad had to drive it to the corner gas station to get the filter removed. The oil trail from our driveway to the gas station remained for six months. My Dad was not a happy camper!
I have a 2017 Chevy impala, they have placed a metal shield that will cut your hands and block any tools you try to use on your oil filter, it is a real pain in the ass and I do not understand why they have placed it right there. So anyway I have a stuck oil filter and very few ways to get it off, what a pain in the ass.
Wonderful. Are you going to use the same puncture method for tightening the replacement oil filter ?? 😬
The best thing I ever found was an oil filter strap wrench from advanced auto. Looks like a square bar with a seat belt strap. It was eight bucks and has saved me hundreds of hours of time on trucks and earth movers with limited access panels.
Everyone laughed at first but after seeing it in action, everyone in the shop has one including the died hard Snap-on only fudds.
The chain ones work really good too!
I did this. Filter was too tight when it was coming off. Finally it came off, but the rod/pipe where we connect the filter, came with it and now it's stuck on the filter. Don't know what to do..
I had used Motorcraft brand oil filter in my 2005 Escape since I had ownership and never had a problem getting them off when the time to change them came but last time I had to buy a Fram oil filter since Wal-Mart was out of the Motorcraft brand filter..well let me tell you after I drained all the oil, or sucked out the oil as I use the Topsider device, I went to take the old filter off and it would NOT budge at all!!! I had no special oil filter wrench but I did not want to make a hole in the old filter in case I could not get it off that way I would be stranded so I filled up with new oil and left the old filter on until I could go buy a tool! Luckily I had bought some cheap, clearance oil at the store for like $2 a quart for Valvoline oil..I may go a short distance on the old filter with new oil since I was only doing this oil change at 2700 miles and had been running Motorcraft Synthetic blend at that..Let's hope the tool works or I will have no choice but to ram a screw driver in mine too!
Or has people have done , put some bond / copying paper around the filter the filter wrench and it should come off , easily .
My wife's 2006 Lexus GX470 has no room for a wrench. I had to use the tool that goes over the entire back side of the filter, like a socket would. Of course, it stripped and spun around the filter. So I screwed 2 screws through the socket like tool and into the filter. It spun right off.
The tool I'm referring to uses a rachet to spin it
Edit, i first put a screw in the bottom of the oil filter to drain it.
Damn !!! Now you cant reuse that filter on your mother inlaws car... :O
Hahaha she can use it as a Butt Plug,
comes pre used
Why not? LOL
Says who?
Why would you put a used filter back on?
The oil filter, adapter tool that has never failed me is the one with a 3/8 drive on it.
For people with less room I just punch a small hole near the grooves where the metal is the thickest, place the flat head screwdriver not inside the hole but against the opening of the hole and push it to the left or use a small hammer or ur palm to hit it and slowly loosen the filter then just use your hand to unscrew it
Did this to one that was screwed on so tight, the screwdriver rotated threw the whole filter. I had to fan up are wrench with two bolt welded to a bar. The bolts with into the filter holes.....that sucked.
Till it shreds. Don't do this unless you want a stuck on shredded filter.
Dont buy fram filters next time i guess? Ive used this method atleast 5 6 times
I do it this way all the time. I change my own oil, and I only put the filter on hand tight. When you can't get your hands around the old filter, and you don't have room for channellocks, this comes in mighty handy.
Edit: Hell, I just did this yesterday! Worked like a charm!
I havent done a oil change before, so to loosen oil filter it is clockwise direction as in video, because you are screwing filter onto the threads
This was a great and useful video, thanks for the help
Any damage from over tightening? Strip a thread?
Whoever installed that filter - 10 yrs to life.
Didn’t work the oil filter just tore -_-
Sorry to hear it didn't work for you. It worked like a charm for me. I hope others will be willing to give it a try.
Lmaoo😂😂😂😂
I havent driven my car in 9 months what do i do?
whiplaspi awn just take the loss and call a mobile mechanic to fix the issue for you lol.
@@whiplaspiawn4144 throw it in the trash
I used to kinda pride myself on mcguyver/ghetto rigging moments like these that I'd come upon in my own life while working on a car, but this was a REALLY dope idea that I never thought of... Thanks man! You just literally saved me a trip to the auto parts store where I was intending to grab one of the tools you were taking about, not the filter wrench but the filter bit that goes on a ratchet...I keep losing the damn things after every oil change...I coulda just did this
I’m glad I could help! It’s really is mostly last resort thing, but never fails me. The filters are meant to be hand tight, but sometimes people don’t realize how easily it’s seals. I like to put some oil on the gasket of the new filter, it helps it seal and it comes off easier next time.
That's why I never go to Jiffy Lube
Bad idea!! I used to do this all the time until I had to remove a factory filter on a Dodge that would not budge. The screw driver ripped the filter in half!! I use a large channel lock (adjustable plyers) it works for all size filters. Usually if you oil the o-ring and install it hand tight. It will come off by hand as well.
Tried this but car has a filter canister what do I do now
I put oil on the gasket seal and run the oil around the screw on threads of the filter.
Was doing an oil chnage on a 94 park Avenue, used the oil clamp tool, nothing! Ended up flattening the grooves so i I couldn't use the other oil filter cup tool. Tried this method and BOOM! It came off. Thank you for the vid
Easiest assessable filter ive ever seen
I use multi purpose auto grease around the oil filter gasket ring, works great.
This actually helped me today. However, it is important not to damage the middle bolt that is inside, keeping a bit of a distance is safe.
I had to use a metal fastener remover because I was at angle and the bend in the tool made it the perfect candidate.
I wondering when my son put the filter on maybe forgot to lube it… I have a question what if u try this method doesn’t work like what other way to get off ? bcz if the oil comes it not like it drivable to shop., I can’t afford to tow it..
What do you do when the screwdriver rips the filter
I learned that Ive been putting filters back on the wrong way all my life. I always retightened them with a filter, but I almost couldn't get this last one off until I used a filter wrench with a rubber strap. Unfortunately, I tightened it back on with the filter wrench. So, if I cant get it off next time, Ill have to do this, lol. Next time, Ill just hand tighten it by a 3/4 turn after the gasket touches the base.
very good my frend put what if your oil filtter will not come out after the screwdriver your stuck with no car
michael fawcett agreed, this is a “last resort get you out of a pinch” type deal, they make oil filter wrenches that work great too, but may not be worth the purchase because the filter isn’t always on that tight.
Thanks this helped me for my diesel on a sailboat.
Glad to help!
Rubber strap wrench.....that you have ( or buy) that serves dozens of other functions.....even takes off tight food jar lids. A screwdriver would be the least desirable option, especially if you end up not getting it off and also possibly damaging other parts of the car with the "poke". The car has a middle post inside over which the filter fits.
I tried this method and the STP filters are so cheaply made the metal ripped before turning. Fram too I’m assuming.
Works but be careful not to go too low on the filter or you might hit the threads that hold the filter on the engine. I had to go all the way through both filter walls because the metal tore using just one wall.
I mean theres no more use to the oil filter so does it really matter if you damage it? Its just getting tosses away right? Thanks.
Having problems getting the old one off my '94 XJS. Thing I can't figure out is that Jaguar very clearly emphasizes that a new one should only be put on by HAND tightening (about 1/2 turn after contact made). So, why is it so damn hard to get them OFF by hand (assuming the PO followed directions)?
Jaguar v12 heats the filter gasket more than most motors. Use anti seize on the gasket where he used new oil.
If it CAN be done by hand, I double over a piece of sandpaper, which gives me a good grip.
wish my f150 had that much room to work around the filter
Chaplin they should make it a law that design engineers should have to work on these vehicles...then they may want to re-think their designs.
By old Subaru standards that filter has lots of access. The old webbing strap filter wrenches work very well and only need about 25mm of clearance in one place around the filter.
The screwdriver trick is ok but a pal of mine tried it and ripped the filter almost in half without shifting it. And once you have punched a hole in the filter you are very committing.
Have a new Crosstrek and didn't want to do the screwdriver method because if you tear through the metal without getting it loose and the threaded base stays attached you're pretty well screwed. My metal strap filter wrench broke without budging it. Channel locks were going to crush the thin housing metal too much and slip so I went down to the local auto parts store and got a this filter removal tool that looks like a lobster claw that is good for getting a grip on it and that did the trick.
@@duketogo2616 Thanks for the reply. For the filter change I just did I treated myself to the filter socket that is a snug fit on the base of the genuine Subaru filters and it worked fine. Having said that, the filter was not as hard to remove as it sometimes is so I can't really say if it would cope in extreme cases.
Well I have a stupid question. I couldn't get the filter off and just changed the oil anyway. Now if I get the filter off, but not drain the new oil....will all the new oil start coming out of the oil filter hole?
I used sandpaper didn't think it would work but it gripped the filter pretty good.
Hey man thanks for this comment!! Mine was hard to take off and luckily I had some 400 grit sandpaper and it worked like a charm
Clever.
Tap a hole in the bottom with a screw or nail. This drains the oil out if the filter first.
A big pair of channel locks is what I use, dont put it on no more than hand tight, not screaming tight either.
Make sure that the gasket is removed I've worked on many cars that have old gaskets still stuck there which will destroy the engine this will cause a leak and you could say goodbye to that engine it might be hard for you to see but you can feel up there and feel that you're not touching metal
I can imagine my problem is to get the tools in while the axle botls is blocking so is lots of work
this works 2 out of 10 times, good luck when you peel it in half
I tried it but it doesn’t work
I have a new problem i usually don’t have this but I can’t screw my filter back on and I can’t find any TH-cam videos about it…
I was so frustrated trying to get the filter off my car. This worked in an instant. Have your like good sir
I bought a black steel drift punch that looks like a murder weapon just for taking oil filters off.
Thanks bud!
Or you could just use a large set of channel lock pliers?
This was so helpful, I had a “grip tight” but it still didn’t do the job. I turned to TH-cam and this did the trick!